Voice latching of appliance door

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an oven appliance and for operation of an oven appliance. The oven appliance and method for operating the oven appliance include features such that the door of the oven appliance may be locked or unlocked using one or more voice commands by a user of the oven appliance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally tomethods and systems for locking and unlocking appliance doors, inparticular the door of an oven appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oven appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a cookingchamber for baking or broiling food items therein. Oven appliances alsousually include a door that, with normal use, pivots about one or morehinges between an open and a closed position to allow access to thecooking chamber of the cabinet. When in the open position, the door maybe parallel to the floor and at a vertical distance above the floor suchthat, e.g., to a child, the door may appear to provide a step forreaching items on or near the oven appliance that may be out of reachfrom the floor. The door may otherwise be used abnormally, e.g., for achild to climb on or into the oven appliance. Such abnormal use of theoven door could allow a child to access potentially harmful objects orcould cause the oven appliance to tip over. To prevent abnormal use ofthe door, it may be desirable to lock the door in the closed positionwhen the cooking chamber is not being used for baking or broiling fooditems. However, typical oven appliance door locks are engaged ordisengaged using one or more buttons, knobs, or the like within thereach of a child such that the door lock may be ineffectual.

Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for locking and unlockingthe door of the oven appliance following a voice command by a user ofthe oven appliance would be beneficial. A method for operating an ovenappliance to lock and unlock the door of the oven appliance following avoice command by a user also would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an oven appliance and for operation of anoven appliance. The oven appliance and method for operating the ovenappliance include features such that the door of the oven appliance maybe locked or unlocked using one or more voice commands by a user of theoven appliance. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention willbe set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an ovenappliance is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting aninput to start a self-clean cycle of the oven appliance; prompting for aconfirmation command to start the self-clean cycle; determining whetherthe confirmation command has been received and, if so, then locking adoor of the oven appliance; starting the self-clean cycle; anddetermining whether the self-clean cycle has finished and, if so, thenunlocking the door of the oven appliance.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an ovenappliance is provided. The method includes the steps of detecting aninput to activate a door lock of the oven appliance to lock a door ofthe oven appliance; prompting for a confirmation command to lock thedoor; determining whether the confirmation command to lock the door hasbeen received and, if so, then locking the door; detecting an input toactivate the door lock to unlock the door; prompting for a confirmationcommand to unlock the door; and determining whether the confirmationcommand to unlock the door has been received and, if so, then unlockingthe door.

In a third exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The ovenappliance includes a cabinet defining an opening at a front portion ofthe cabinet, the cabinet also defining a cooking chamber configured forreceipt of food items for cooking; a door mounted to the cabinet at theopening of the cabinet, the door being selectively adjustable between anopen position and a closed position to permit selective access to thecooking chamber through the opening of the cabinet; a door lock; aheating element configured to heat the cooking chamber; and a controllerin operative communication with the door lock. The controller isconfigured for detecting an input to activate a door lock of the ovenappliance to lock a door of the oven appliance; prompting for aconfirmation command to lock the door; determining whether theconfirmation command to lock the door has been received and, if so, thenlocking the door; detecting an input to activate the door lock to unlockthe door; prompting for a confirmation command to unlock the door; anddetermining whether the confirmation command to unlock the door has beenreceived and, if so, then unlocking the door.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an oven range appliance receivedwithin a set of kitchen cabinets according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-section view of the oven range appliance of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 provides a chart illustrating an exemplary method for operatingan oven appliance according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a chart illustrating another exemplary method foroperating an oven appliance according to the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an oven range appliance 12received within a set of kitchen cabinets. Oven range appliance 12 isprovided by way of example only and is not intended to limit the presentsubject matter in any aspect. Thus, the present subject matter may beused with other oven appliance configurations, e.g., that define one ormore interior cavities for the receipt of food and/or that are wallmounted. Further, the present subject matter may be used in any othersuitable appliance.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a microwave appliance 10, commonly referred toas an over-the-range microwave, mounted to an upper set of kitchencabinets 14 above oven range appliance 12, e.g., along a verticaldirection V. Upper set of kitchen cabinets 14 is positioned above a baseset of kitchen cabinets 16, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Baseset of kitchen cabinets 16 includes countertops 18 and drawers 17. Ovenrange appliance 12 is received within base set of kitchen cabinets 16below microwave appliance 10 such that a cooking surface 30 of ovenrange appliance 12 is positioned, e.g., directly below microwaveappliance 10 along the vertical direction V. Microwave appliance 10 caninclude features such as an air handler or fan (not shown) that can drawcooking vapors and/or smoke away from cooking surface 30 and out of thekitchen containing microwave and oven range appliances 10 and 12.

Cooking surface 30 of range 12 includes heated portions 32 that may beheated by heating elements (not shown), e.g., electrical resistiveheating elements, gas burners, induction heating elements, and/or anyother suitable heating element or combination of heating elements.Cooking utensils, such as cooking utensil 28, may be placed on heatedportions 32 to cook or heat food items. Oven range appliance 12 alsoincludes a door 36 that permits access to a cooking chamber 42 (FIG. 2)of oven range appliance 12, e.g., for cooking or baking of food itemstherein. One or more controls 60 on a control panel 34 of oven rangeappliance 12 can permit a user to make selections for cooking of fooditems, e.g., a duration of a cooking cycle of oven range appliance 12and/or a power setting for the cooking cycle of oven range appliance 12.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-section view of oven range appliance 12. Asillustrated, oven range appliance 12 includes an insulated cabinet 40with an interior cooking chamber 42 defined by an interior surface 44 ofcabinet 40. Cooking chamber 42 is configured for the receipt of one ormore food items to be cooked. Range appliance 12 includes a door 36pivotally mounted to cabinet 40, e.g., with one or more hinges (notshown). A handle 37 is mounted to door 36 and assists a user withopening and closing door 36 to access cooking chamber 42. For example, auser can pull or push on handle 37 to open or close door 36 and accesscooking chamber 42.

Oven range appliance 12 includes a door lock 38 that, when engaged,prevents door 36 from opening. Door lock 38 may be an electromechanicallock, or other suitable locking device, positioned on cabinet 40adjacent the front portion of cabinet 40 and may include a hook thatengages door 36. Alternatively, door lock 38 may be positioned on door36 near the front portion of cabinet 40 and include a hook that engagescabinet 40. The operation of door lock 38 is further described below,and in other embodiments, door lock 38 may be any appropriate mechanismfor locking door 36 as described.

Further, oven range appliance 12 can include a seal (not shown) betweendoor 36 and cabinet 40 that assists with maintaining heat and cookingfumes within cooking chamber 42 when door 36 is closed as shown in FIG.2. Multiple parallel glass panes 39 assist with insulating cookingchamber 42 and provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 42when door 36 is closed. A baking rack 46 is positioned in cookingchamber 42 for the receipt of food items or utensils containing fooditems. Baking rack 46 is slidably received onto embossed ribs or slidingrails 48 such that rack 46 may be conveniently moved into and out ofcooking chamber 42 when door 36 is open.

A gas fueled or electric bottom heating element 50 (e.g., a gas burneror a bake gas burner) is positioned in cabinet 40, e.g., at a bottomportion 41 of cabinet 40. Bottom heating element 50 is used to heatcooking chamber 42 for both cooking and cleaning of oven appliance 12.The size and heat output of bottom heating element 50 can be selectedbased on the e.g., the size of oven appliance 12.

A top heating element 52 is also positioned in cooking chamber 42 ofcabinet 40, e.g., at a top portion 43 of cabinet 40. Top heating element52 is used to heat cooking chamber 42 for both cooking/broiling andcleaning of oven appliance 12. Like bottom heating element 50, the sizeand heat output of top heating element 52 can be selected based on thee.g., the size of oven appliance 12. In the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 2, top heating element 52 is shown as an electric resistanceheating element. However, in alternative embodiments, a gas, microwave,halogen, or any other suitable heating element may be used instead ofelectric resistance heating element 52. Additionally, other heatingelements, such as a convection heating element, also may be included inthe oven appliance to be used during cooking and cleaning cycles of theoven appliance.

The operation of oven appliance 12, including heating elements 50 and52, is controlled by a processing device such as a controller 56 (FIG.1), which may include a microprocessor or other device that is incommunication with such components. Such controller 56 also may be incommunication with a temperature sensor 54 that is used to measuretemperature inside cooking chamber 42 and provide such measurements tothe controller 56. Temperature sensor 54 is shown in the top and rear ofcooking chamber 42. However, other locations may be used and, ifdesired, multiple temperature sensors may be applied as well.

Controller 56 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a generalor special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programminginstructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. Thememory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, and/or read onlymemory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executesprogramming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separatecomponent from the processor or may be included onboard within theprocessor. Alternatively, controller 56 may be constructed without usinga microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/ordigital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators,comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform controlfunctionality instead of relying upon software. Controls 60 and othercomponents of oven range appliance 12 may be in communication withcontroller 56 via one or more signal lines or shared communicationbusses.

Moreover, controller 56 is operatively coupled or in communication withvarious other components of microwave appliance 10, including controls60 and door lock 38. For example, in response to user manipulation ofcontrols 60, controller 56 operates the various components of oven rangeappliance 12 to execute selected cycles and features. Controller 56 mayalso be in communication with door lock 38 to lock and unlock door 36,e.g., to prevent abnormal use of door 36. For example, a child mayconsider door 36 of oven range appliance 12 useful as a step to reachthe cooktop and/or items thereon or the surfaces in the vicinity of ovenrange appliance 12. In addition to providing access to potentiallyharmful items, abnormal use of door 36 could cause oven range appliance12 to tip over. Accordingly, if door 36 of oven appliance 12 may beselectively locked, e.g., during particular cycles of oven appliance 12or when oven appliance 12 is not in use, abnormal use of door 36 can beavoided, as well as other potentially harmful uses of oven appliance 12.

In an exemplary embodiment of oven range appliance 12, controller 56activates door lock 38 to lock door 36 during, e.g., a self-clean cycleof oven appliance 12. In other embodiments, controller 56 may lock orunlock door 36 in response to inputs by a user of oven range appliance12. For example, controller 56 may be configured to detect as inputsvoice commands of a user of the oven appliance, e.g., to initiate orcancel operations of oven appliance 12. Such commands may include “Startself-clean cycle” or “GE, lock the door.” The voice commands may beauthenticated, i.e., distinguished from attempts by a child operate ovenappliance 12, and/or confirmed through the use of a unique spokenphrase. The unique phrase may be any phrase chosen by the user andprogrammed into, e.g., controller 56, and multiple users may each have aunique programmed phrase. Alternatively, the voice commands may beauthenticated and/or confirmed through the use of voice biometrics,which may distinguish an adult voice from a juvenile voice, identify anexact voice, or otherwise authenticate commands such that only adults orspecific persons may initiate or cancel operations of oven appliance 12.

The voice commands may be detected and utilized by controller 56 inwhole or in part, as discussed. In other embodiments, the voice commandsmay be detected and utilized by any combination of, e.g., a stand-aloneor embedded microphone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a cloudcomputing system. Other devices may also be used to detect and utilize auser's voice commands.

As a further example, controller 56 may be configured to detect gesturesof a user of the oven appliance through Swept Frequency CapacitiveSensing (SFCS). In such embodiments, oven door 36 may include aconductive surface, such as front panel 70, and controller 56 may detecttouch inputs to door 36 such that when a user touches door 36 with herfingers in a preprogrammed sequence, controller 56 accepts the input,e.g., to initiate or cancel operations of oven appliance 12. Forexample, the user may program the sequence 5-3-2-4 as, e.g., aconfirmation gesture. Then, when controller 56 prompts the user toconfirm the initiation or cancellation of an operation of appliance 12,and the user touches door 36 with five fingers, then three fingers, thentwo fingers, and finally four fingers (thereby inputting the sequence5-3-2-4), controller 56 senses the input sequence as the confirmationgesture to initiate or cancel the operation. The user may program one ormore sequences to initiate, confirm, or cancel actions of oven appliance12 or to otherwise operate the oven.

Additionally, oven appliance 12 may include one or more controls 60that, when utilized separately or in combination, may signal tocontroller 56 to start a self-clean cycle and/or to lock or unlock door36. For example, control panel 34 may include a door lock element 62,such as, e.g., a button, knob, or the like, that a user may utilize toindicate door 36 should be locked or unlocked. Alternatively, door lockelement 62 may consist of several controls 60 that, when utilized in aprogrammed sequence, indicate to controller 56 to lock or unlock door36. Other configurations of door lock element 62 may be used as well.Thus, oven range 12 may include one or more features for locking door 36such that abnormal use of door 36 can be prevented.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary method for operating oven rangeappliance 12 is illustrated. Method 300 or portions thereof may beperformed by controller 56 or any other suitable device or devices. Atstep 302, controller 56 detects an input to start a self-clean cycle ofoven appliance 12. The self-clean cycle input may be a voice command bya user of the appliance. For example, the user could voice the command“GE, start self-clean cycle” or “GE, start self-clean cycle and lock thedoor until it is over.” Alternatively, the self-clean cycle input may bethe use of one or more controls 60 by the user. For example, oven rangeappliance 12 may include a button control element that, when depressed,signals controller 56 to start the self-clean cycle. Other ways ofindicating a self-clean cycle should be started may be used as well.

At step 304 of method 300, oven range appliance 12 prompts the user toconfirm that a self-clean cycle should be started. Oven appliance 12 mayprompt for confirmation of the self-clean cycle by, e.g., any audibleand/or visual prompt that indicates to the user that a confirmation isneeded to start the self-clean cycle. By way of example, the prompt maybe a notification displayed on control panel 34 of appliance 12, a LEDlight, a buzzer, a verbal prompt such as “Start self-clean cycle?”,and/or any other appropriate visual and/or audible prompt. Other promptsfor confirming the self-clean cycle may also be used.

After prompting for a confirmation, at step 306, controller 56 may begincounting a predetermined time t_(confirm), which may be any appropriatetime interval that allows the user sufficient time to confirm theself-clean cycle. At step 308, controller 56 determines whether aconfirmation has been given. The user may confirm that a self-cleancycle should be started by giving a confirmation command, such as, e.g.,“Yes, start self-clean cycle,” “Self-clean cycle confirmed,” or simply“Yes.” Other confirmation commands may also be used, such as a uniquephrase that authenticates the user as described above. The user may alsogive a confirmation through other means, such as, e.g., by utilizing oneof controls 60 or by utilizing one or more controls 60 in apreprogrammed sequence. In other embodiments, the user may give aconfirmation gesture, such as the 5-3-2-4 touch sequence previouslydescribed. The confirmation gesture may be input on front panel 70 ofdoor 36 or any other appropriate conductive surface of oven rangeappliance 12, such as, e.g., a portion of control panel 34.

If a confirmation is given before time t_(confirm) elapses, method 300may proceed to step 310. However, if a confirmation is not given duringtime t_(confirm), controller 56 may determine that the self-clean cycleshould not be started. Further, in some embodiments, the confirmationstep may be omitted, e.g., when a user gives a one-shot command such as,“Start self-clean and lock the door.”

At step 310, door lock 38 is activated to lock oven door 36, and at step312, the self-clean cycle is started. As shown at step 314, controller56 may count the time t_(sc) elapsed during the self-clean cycle.Controller 56 may also monitor the temperature T_(sc) of the cookingchamber during the self-clean cycle using, e.g., temperature sensor 54.At step 316, controller 56 determines whether the self-clean cycle isfinished. Controller 56 may determine that the self-clean cycle isfinished if time t_(sc) has reached at least a threshold time t_(thr).That is, at step 316, controller 56 may compare time t_(sc) to timet_(thr), and if time t_(sc) is at least equal to time t_(thr),controller 56 determines the self-clean cycle is finished.Alternatively, controller 56 may determine that the self-clean cycle isfinished if temperature T_(sc) has reached at least a thresholdtemperature T_(thr), i.e., controller 56 may compare temperature T_(sc)to temperature T_(thr), and if temperature T_(sc) is at least equal totemperature T_(thr), controller 56 determines the self-clean cycle isfinished. In other embodiments, controller 56 may determine theself-clean cycle is complete if both time t_(sc) and temperature T_(sc)have reached at least threshold values t_(thr) and T_(thr). Time t_(thr)and temperature T_(thr) may be determined experimentally and may be,e.g., the time to complete a self-clean cycle under typical conditionsand a maximum temperature reached during a self-clean cycle undertypical conditions. Other ways of determining whether the self-cleancycle is finished may also be used.

If controller 56 determines at step 316 that the self-clean cycle is notfinished, controller 56 continues to count time t_(sc) and/or monitortemperature T_(sc). However, if controller 56 determines at step 316that the self-clean cycle is finished, method 300 proceeds to step 318,where door lock 38 is activated to unlock oven door 36.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method for operating oven appliance12. Method 400 or portions thereof may be performed by controller 56 orany other suitable device or devices. As shown, method 400 includes step402 of detecting an input to activate door lock 38 to lock door 36. Thelock input may be a voice command by a user of the appliance. Forexample, the user could voice the command “GE, lock the door.” Inalternative embodiments, the lock input may be the use of one or morecontrols 60 by the user. For example, oven range appliance 12 mayinclude a door locking element 62 that, when depressed, creates the lockinput that may be detected by controller 56. In still other embodiments,the user could voice the command “GE, start self-clean cycle” or utilizeone or more of controls 60 to indicate a self-clean cycle should bestarted. Controller 56 may detect such self-clean cycle input as theinput to activate door lock 38 to lock door 36. Other ways of indicatingdoor lock 38 should be activated to lock door 36 may be used as well.

At step 404, oven appliance 12 prompts the user to confirm that doorlock 38 should be activated to lock door 36. As described with respectto confirming a self-clean cycle, oven appliance 12 may prompt forconfirmation by, e.g., any audible and/or visual prompt that indicatesto the user that a confirmation is needed to lock oven door 36. By wayof example, the prompt may be a notification displayed on control panel34, a LED light, a buzzer, a verbal prompt such as “Lock door?”, and/orany other appropriate visual and/or audible prompt. Other prompts forconfirming controller 56 should activate door lock 38 to lock door 36may also be used.

After prompting for a confirmation, at step 406, controller 56 may begincounting a predetermined time t_(confirm), which may be any appropriatetime interval that allows the user sufficient time to confirm that door36 should be locked. At step 408, controller 56 determines whether aconfirmation has been given. The user may confirm that door 36 should belocked by giving a confirmation command, such as, e.g., “Yes, lockdoor,” “Lock door,” or simply, “Yes.” Alternatively, the confirmationcommand may be a unique phrase that authenticates the user as describedabove. The user may also give a confirmation by, e.g., utilizing one ofcontrols 60 or utilizing one or more controls 60 in a preprogrammedsequence. In other embodiments, the user may confirm activation of doorlock 38 at step 406 by giving a confirmation gesture, such as the5-3-2-4 touch sequence previously described.

If a confirmation is given before time t_(confirm) elapses, method 400may proceed to step 410. However, if a confirmation is not given duringtime t_(confirm), controller 56 may determine that door lock 38 shouldnot be activated and door 36 remains unlocked. Further, in someembodiments, the confirmation step may be omitted.

At step 410, door lock 38 is activated to lock oven door 36, and door 36remains locked until, at step 412, controller 56 detects an input toactivate door lock 38 to unlock door 36. The unlock input may be, e.g.,a voice command by the user of the oven appliance, such as, e.g., “GE,unlock the door.” Alternatively, the user may utilize one or morecontrols 60 to activate door lock 38 to unlock door 36, as describedabove with respect to locking door 36. Further, if door 36 was lockedfor oven appliance 12 to perform a self-clean cycle, the unlock inputmay be a signal generated when controller 56 determines the self-cleancycle is finished, as described with respect to method 300. In otherembodiments, the unlock input may be, e.g., the initiation of a cookingcycle, such as through the voice command, “GE, set bake temperature to350.”

Once controller 56 receives an input to activate door lock 38 to unlockdoor 36, at step 414 oven range appliance 12 prompts the user to confirmthat door lock 38 should be activated to unlock door 36. As describedwith respect to locking door 36 and starting a self-clean cycle, ovenappliance 12 may prompt for confirmation using, e.g., any audible and/orvisual prompt that indicates to the user that a confirmation is neededto unlock oven door 36. For example, the prompt may be a notificationdisplayed on control panel 34, a LED light, a buzzer, a verbal promptsuch as “Unlock door?”, and/or any other appropriate visual and/oraudible prompt. Other prompts to confirm that door 36 should be unlockedmay also be used.

After prompting for a confirmation, at step 416 controller 56 may begincounting time t_(confirm). At step 418, controller 56 determines whethera confirmation has been given. The user may confirm that door 36 shouldbe locked by giving a confirmation command, such as, e.g., “Yes, unlockdoor,” “Unlock door,” or simply, “Yes.” The user may also give aconfirmation by, e.g., utilizing one of controls 60 or utilizing one ormore controls 60 in a preprogrammed sequence. In other embodiments, asdescribed above, activation of door lock 38 may be confirmed using SFCS.In such embodiments, when prompted to confirm that door 36 should beunlocked, the user may touch an appropriate conductive surface with herfingers in a preprogrammed sequence, such as, e.g., the described5-3-2-4 sequence, and controller 56 accepts the input as a confirmationgesture to activate door lock 38. The user may confirm activation ofdoor lock 38 to unlock door 36 in other ways as well.

If a confirmation is given before time t_(confirm) elapses, method 400may proceed to step 420. At step 420, door lock 38 is activated tounlock oven door 36. However, if a confirmation is not given during timet_(confirm), controller 56 may determine that door lock 38 should not beactivated and door 36 remains locked. As indicated, in some embodiments,the confirmation step may be omitted.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating an oven appliance, themethod comprising the steps of: detecting an input to start a self-cleancycle of the oven appliance; prompting for a confirmation command tostart the self-clean cycle; determining whether the confirmation commandhas been received and, if so, then locking a door of the oven appliance;starting the self-clean cycle; and determining whether the self-cleancycle has finished and, if so, then unlocking the door of the ovenappliance.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input is a voicecommand by a user of the oven appliance.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the input is use of a control element of the oven appliance by auser of the oven appliance.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein promptingfor a confirmation command to start the self-clean cycle comprises averbal prompt by the oven appliance.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of counting a predetermined time t_(confirm) duringthe step of determining whether the confirmation command has beenreceived.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determiningwhether the self-clean cycle is finished comprises comparing a timet_(sc) of operation of the self-clean cycle to a threshold time t_(thr).7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether theself-clean cycle is finished comprises comparing a temperature T_(sc) ofthe cooking chamber using a temperature sensor of the oven appliance toa threshold temperature T_(thr).
 8. A method for operating an ovenappliance, the method comprising the steps of: detecting an input toactivate a door lock of the oven appliance to lock a door of the ovenappliance; prompting for a confirmation command to lock the door;determining whether the confirmation command to lock the door has beenreceived and, if so, then locking the door; detecting an input toactivate the door lock to unlock the door; prompting for a confirmationcommand to unlock the door; and determining whether the confirmationcommand to unlock the door has been received and, if so, then unlockingthe door.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the input to activate thedoor lock to lock the door is a voice command by a user of the ovenappliance.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the input to activate thedoor lock to unlock the door is a voice command by a user of the ovenappliance.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein prompting for aconfirmation command to lock the door comprises a verbal prompt by theoven appliance.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein prompting for aconfirmation command to unlock the door comprises a verbal prompt by theoven appliance.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the stepof counting a predetermined time t_(confirm) during the step ofdetermining whether the confirmation command to lock the door has beenreceived.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step ofcounting a predetermined time t_(confirm) during the step of determiningwhether the confirmation command to unlock the door has been received.15. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining an opening at afront portion of the cabinet, the cabinet also defining a cookingchamber configured for receipt of food items for cooking; a door mountedto the cabinet at the opening of the cabinet, the door being selectivelyadjustable between an open position and a closed position to permitselective access to the cooking chamber through the opening of thecabinet; a door lock; a heating element configured to heat the cookingchamber; and a controller in operative communication with the door lock,the controller configured for detecting an input to activate a door lockof the oven appliance to lock a door of the oven appliance; promptingfor a confirmation command to lock the door; determining whether theconfirmation command to lock the door has been received and, if so, thenlocking the door; detecting an input to activate the door lock to unlockthe door; prompting for a confirmation command to unlock the door; anddetermining whether the confirmation command to unlock the door has beenreceived and, if so, then unlocking the door.
 16. The oven appliance ofclaim 15, wherein the input to activate the door lock to lock the dooris a voice command by a user of the oven appliance to start a self-cleancycle of the oven appliance.
 17. The oven appliance of claim 16, whereinthe input to activate the door lock to unlock the door is a signal thatthe self-clean cycle is finished.
 18. The oven appliance of claim 15,wherein the input to activate the door lock to lock the door is a voicecommand by a user of the oven appliance to lock the door.
 19. The ovenappliance of claim 15, wherein the input to activate the door lock tounlock the door is a voice command by a user of the oven appliance tounlock the door.